Pair from Hampshire arrested for television streaming offences

TWO people have been arrested as part of an investigation into offences related to the streaming of copyright television.

Officers from Hampshire County Council’s (HCC) Trading Standards Service and Hampshire Constabulary today carried out a warrant at an address in Bursledon, Hampshire.

The operation led to the arrests of a 41-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, on suspicion of offences under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and associated money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

They are currently being questioned by trading standards officers.

Leader of HCC, councillor Roy Perry, said: ‘Providing copyright material such as that from Sky or BT Sport, brings a significant loss to legitimate businesses – this is illegal and I would urge residents to be careful when they are signing up to subscription services from third parties as it is also illegal to watch.

‘It is possible to trace this type of online activity, and we will continue to investigate and pursue those involved in illegal streaming of copyright television as it threatens the livelihoods of those working legitimately in the industry and the wider UK economy.’

HCC said the arrests are the culmination of a year-long complex investigation which has involved a number of different agencies, after a referral by the Federation Against Copyright Theft.

The federation identified a number of potential suppliers of illegal streaming in the UK and the arrests form part of a wider investigation coordinated by Europol, which has led to warrants in Southern Ireland and Scotland.

If you have any information or concerns regarding this investigation or illegal streaming, call the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06 or visit them online.